Sukumar Borthakur

Sukumar Borthakur is a Tablist in the genre of Hindustani Classical music. Born in Uzanbazar in 1948, Borthakur was brought up in the city of Guwahati and it was in Guwahati city that he developed a strong leaning towards music. He is the son of Late Bhubaneshwar Borthakur and Late Karunamayee Devi.
It was in 1965 that Borthakur started learning classical music under the initiation of Late Khagen Das. He continued with the guidance of Lt. Ram Pravesh Singh and Ustad Munne Khan till he obtained ‘Sangeet Alankar’ (Master of Music) degree in the year 1975. A science graduate, Borthakur has been indulging in his passion of playing the Tabla for almost half a century now shunning publicity.
A ‘Sangeet Alankar’ from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Miraz, Sukumar Borthakur has kept in touch with music in some way or other. After having to stop performing in live shows due to a major accident, he has involved himself in the theoretical and technical aspects of the art. He has been related with All India Radio local audition board as an examiner for the last fifteen years.
An examiner of Centre of Cultural Resources and Training, Borthakur is also a member of the board of examiners of Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal upto the M. Mus level. His musical acumen had spilled over to his disciples who have managed to become front running musicians of the state. Mention can be made of disciples like Arup Kumar Mishra, Subroto Chakraborty, Nitul Goswami, Himansu Baruah, etc.
Keeping the spark of music alive in the heart of a person is no mean achievement and calls for undiluted passion and respect for the said instrument. Borthakur has done so and has also taken care to promote classical music amongst the new generation as well. He is the President of ‘Gandharva’ – a musical organisation which felicitates the senior classical musicians of the state besides acting as a platform for new and old classical musicians.
Sukumar Borthakur is also the Editor of ‘Anunad’, the only monthly published from the country which is devoted entirely to Indian classical music. Besides classical music, he also strives to promote art forms like ‘Xatriya’, ‘Lokageet’ and Art through his publication.